Comment

Comments on stories are a way for Late Night Live listeners to contribute to and discuss the program.

Comments are moderated. Before you contribute, we recommend you read our house rules.

Reply

Author

Email

Date/Time

27 Sep 2017 8:10:41am

Text

PreviousMessage

This is what i am talking about Adon. You've lost the support of the world. You have spent the sympathy the world had for you by your actions. The latest news.

United Nations boss Ban Ki-moon and members of the UN Security Council have condemned Israel's proposed construction of settlements in occupied Palestinian territories as a threat to flagging peace efforts.

Mr Ban and UN envoys from several European Union countries, Russia and China warned Israel against building thousands of new settler homes in the West Bank and occupied East Jerusalem.

Israel gave the green light to plans for 2,610 homes in East Jerusalem and opened tenders for 1,048 units in the West Bank just before the UN meeting.

The UN secretary-general said the Israel-Palestinian peace process was in "deep freeze", worsened by the settlements approved since the UN General Assembly voted on November 29 to recognise Palestine as a non-member state.

"I call on Israel to refrain from continuing on this dangerous path, which will undermine the prospects for a resumption of dialogue and a peaceful future for Palestinians and Israelis alike," Mr Ban said.

UN ambassadors from Britain, France, Germany and Portugal highlighted European fears over the peace stalemate and stressed that their governments "strongly opposed" the Israeli construction.

"Israel's announcements to accelerate the construction of settlements send a negative message and are undermining faith in its willingness to negotiate," they said in a statement read by British ambassador Mark Lyall Grant.

"The viability of the two-state solution, that is key for Israel's long-term security, is threatened by the systematic expansion of settlements," he added.

Non-aligned members of the Security Council - Azerbaijan, Colombia, India, Guatemala, Morocco, Pakistan, South Africa and Togo - read their own statement of condemnation.

China also joined the protest, before all were rebuffed by Israel.Israel's UN ambassador Ron Prosor said the new announcements were "planning and zoning" and that it could take years before the government allows the start of construction.

He said settlements were "not the major hurdle to peace" and the Palestinians should return to talks without conditions.

The United States traditionally protects Israel at the Security Council, and had used its power as a permanent member to veto many resolutions criticising Israel, including over settlements.US ambassador Susan Rice reaffirmed growing US impatience with its ally during closed talks at the council, diplomats told the AFP news agency on condition of anonymity.

She said the settlements were "counterproductive" and added that the United States "is deeply disappointed that Israel insists on continuing a pattern of provocati

Please note that there is limit per post of 3,000 characters, including spaces, carriage returns and punctuation (about 500 words). Your email address will not be published.